You don't have to spend a ton of money to have a mouthful of beautiful, healthy teeth and a stunning smile -- these 11 tips prove it

Brush twice a day This may sound painfully obvious, but the sad fact is a lot of people don't even brush their teeth properly once a day, much less twice. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing two times a day for two minutes using a soft, rounded, nylon bristled brush and advises people to spend roughly 30 seconds on each quadrant of their mouth (Upper left, lower left, etc.) while wielding the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle.

Dr. Apa recommends "investing in a soft-bristled electric toothbrush." (Try Oral B CrossAction Power Whitening Toothbrush, $109.) He says that it's "great for [getting you to] spend a little extra time each day brushing your teeth and gums!"

Whether or not you use an electric brush, it's important to replace it regularly. The ADA says to "replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed," because "a worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth."

I have dozens of floss packs scattered around the house! I'm actually going to dental school this fall. My roommates probably hate me because I'm constantly bugging them with facts about oral health and flossing!

Being someone who had very bad teeth due to drinking soda, not having the funds to go to the dentist, and after having my braces turn my teeth yellow, I know how important your smile and teeth are to the outside world. People often look at your smile first and that usually means seeing your teeth, and they base a lot on how your teeth look. These tips are all wonderful but the best one is to go to the dentist regularly. It took 7 hours straight, in a dentist chair, having my 6 front teeth ground down to spikes, and then getting fitted for my temporary crowns. This took $12000 to fix and when all was said and done, it took 16 hours of fear, pain, and tears just to get my 6 front teeth looking presentable. Go to the dentist!